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Nelson Ugwuagbo

Headlines

Tinubu’s wife gifts fallen heroes’ widows N427m

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, on Tuesday, supported families of the nation’s fallen heroes with N427.75m.

Each of the 1,709 widows and orphans of the Nigerian Armed Forces will receive N250,000.

“This will enable you to recapitalise an existing business or start a business of your choice to enable you to care for your families,” said Mrs Tinubu as she presented the relief package to the beneficiaries drawn from across the country.

The Special Adviser to the First Lady on Media and Publicity, Busola Kukoyi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday titled ‘First Lady Oluremi Tinubu commends strength, resilience, and the sacrifices of widows and orphans of armed forces.’

During the presentation of the relief package, the First Lady acknowledged the challenging journey of the families, highlighting the sacrifices made by their loved ones in defending the country.

Emphasising the need to reward their sacrifices with adequate welfare and support, she remarked, “We recognise that widows are not victims; they are survivors. You have shown extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, and we are here to offer a helping hand as you chart a new path forward.

“Some of you have been widows for some time while some of you have just been widowed and we hope that the older widows will give emotional support to the younger ones.”

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, expressed his gratitude for the First Lady’s efforts.

Represented by Major-General Danladi Salisu, he noted that such support significantly boosts the morale of both the families of fallen heroes and those currently serving.

Meanwhile, President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association and the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Oghogho Musa, received the donation on behalf of the beneficiaries.

She described the gesture as a crucial relief for these families.

The beneficiaries were drawn from various associations, including the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, the Nigerian Navy Officers Wives Association, the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association, the Police Officers Wives Association, and the Defence Officers Wives Association.

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Investigation

Farmer Attacks 12-Year-Old Fulani Herder In Niger State, Cuts Off His Hands

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Niger State Police Command, has arrested one Jafaru Yunusa of Kpashimi village, a farmer, suspected to have attacked a 12-year-old Fulani herder, Muhammadu Muhammadu, in Lapai, Niger state.

Mohammadu was matcheted and left alone to die until he was rescued.

Leading Reporters learnt that the suspect was arrested in the forest around Kpashimi village, while two other suspects are at large, but said investigation is currently ongoing.

Giving details of what happened, Abiodun said: “On 09/11/2023 at about 10am, one cattle owner from Mayaki village via Lapai, reported at Lapai Division that on 08/11/2023 at about 10am, his cattle grazer one Muhammad Muhammad, 12yrs, of same address went out grazing with the cattle at Kpashimi forest, but the cattle returned home at about 18:30pm without the boy. 

“As a result of this, he went to search for the boy with his brother and the boy was found lying on the ground with his two hands cut off beside a farm around the said forest. 

“Police operatives attached to Lapai Division immediately rushed to the scene, and the boy was taken to Lapai Gen Hospital for medical attention while he is responding to treatment.”

The 12-year-old’s grandfather, Alhaji Garba Buba, a member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria who also spoke to  news corespondants on phone, said he was at the hospital beside Muhammadu who was still struggling to survive. 

Buba said Muhammadu is the first son of his father and the only one, saying the little boy was in critical condition as his two hands were cut off, while his throat and a part of his cheek was cut by his attacker.

“The boy can’t talk. When we first found him, he was able to explain to us everything that happened to him. God gave him the wisdom to do that, but since that day we didn’t get to hear him speak again. If you call his name he can only say ‘uhum’ 

“He said he was conscious when his assailants first attacked him and cut off one hand, but after that, he didn’t know what happened next. 

“It was his uncles, his fathers brothers that first saw him because he went missing since 3pm till 10am the following day before they found him. It was on Tuesday that this thing happened.”

According to Buba, the family had no idea why the assailants did what they did to Muhammadu.

He said: “They beat him and cut his throat thinking he was dead then they left him. They also cut another part of his body around his cheek. Currently you can’t even recognise the boy again. He is just here, we don’t know what will happen to him. 

“They didn’t take his cattle and it has nothing to do with farmer clashes. We are suspecting that they are only interested in Fulani parts for ritual purposes since we couldn’t find both his hands.” 

He explained further that they went to the Lapai Police Division and reported the case, and it was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge that attended to them.

Buba said they went to the forest with the police and searched but couldn’t find the boy’s hands.

Pleading, he said: “Let the police help us for the sake of Allah, even if this boy doesn’t die today, there’s no hope he’ll be able to do anything in life again. 

“We want them (the perpetrators) to be apprehended so that they can be questioned. We want to know what their aim is for doing this. Let them explain their reasons for removing some body parts and going away with it.”  

The boy’s father, Muhammadu Garba, said his son’s condition was causing him much pain.

“I feel as if my heart has been plucked out. For them to remove his hands it simply means he doesn’t enjoy life again,” he said.

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Investigation

11-year-old student slams N100m suit against hospital over alleged damaged testis

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

An 11-year-old Nelson George has filed an N100 million suit against Limi Children’s Hospital Limited for alleged misdiagnosis and mistreatment leading to the damage of one of his testes.

Nelson, who instituted the suit through his father, Bankole George, also prayed Justice Akanbi Yusuf of FCT High Court, Kubwa, to make an order directing the hospital to pay the sum of N5 million to him as cost of filing the suit.

In the suit marked: FCT/HC/CV/7356/2023 dated and filed on August 28 by his lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong of Fred-Young & Evans LP, Nelson further prayed the court for an order directing the medical outfit to issue a letter of apology to him for the alleged misconduct.

Leading Reporters learnt that the claimant also joined Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as 2nd to 4th defendants in the matter.

The claimant equally urged the court to declare that the 2nd to 4th defendants ought to be more proactive in ensuring that they perform their duties under their mandate as provided in the respective legislations establishing them to protect and promote his interests and wellbeing, including that of members of the Nigerian public.

In his joint statement of claim, Nelson said he was 11-year old presently “in Junior Secondary School 3 and lives under the parentship of Bankole George who is his next friend and legal guardian.”

“Bankole George (“Bankole”) is the biological father of the claimant.

“He is a Grade Level 18, Step 11 Director of Dangote Cement Plc. and a subscriber of the Platinum package of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS AXA MANSARD),” the statement said.

It said that Nelson was one of the beneficiaries of Bankole’s Health Insurance Scheme in Abuja.

According to the statement, on 30th January, 2023, Bankole discovered that the claimant (Nelson) was having serious abdominal pains and his genital and scrotum were swollen.

“Bankole promptly rushed the claimant to the 1st defendant’s hospital which is one of the hospitals listed in Bankole’s package of the NHIS for himself and his family members to which the claimant is one.

“After preliminary checks, the claimant was admitted at the 1st defendant’s hospital for treatment,” it said.

It said that the hospital then conducted laboratory tests on Nelson, including a scan on his genitals.

“In the scan report, the Sonologist concluded that the claimant suffered from Epididymo-orchitis/Torsion.

“The claimant was admitted at the 1st defendant’s hospital for 4 (four) days to undergo treatment for acute Epidydymo-orchitis only without addressing the Torsion in the scan report.

“He was discharged from the 1st defendant’s hospital in the evening of 2nd February, 2023,” it said.

“Painfully, on the evening of 9th February, 2023, at about 11pm, the claimant complained of discomfort in his genitals and the same abdominal pains.

“Bankole took the claimant back to the 1st defendant’s hospital in the morning of Friday, 10th February, 2023.

“The claimant was again admitted and this time treated for malaria, sepsis and peptic ulcer disease with series of tests conducted once more.

“The abdominal pains subsided and the claimant was discharged the second time in the evening of 11th February, 2023,” it said.

It further said that on February 13, Nelson again complained of excruciating abdominal pains and his genitals were swollen, and Bankole was advised to take the claimant to another hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment.

“The claimant was taken to Nisa Premier Hospital Abuja (“the Nisa Premier”),” it said.

After a preliminary examination and a scan that showed that Nelson had Testicular Torsion (“TT”), a urologist and his team at Nisa Premier promptly carried out surgery on his scrotum.

The statement alleged that they later discovered that Limi Children’s Hospital Limited’s delay in discovering and promptly carrying out surgery on the claimant had led to complete damage to one of his testes.

It said Limi Hospital, however, denied any wrongdoing and maintained that their action was in line with standard medical protocol.

Besides, Limi Hospital’s counsel, on April 6, also wrote to Nelson’s lawyer, Ekpenyong, and absolved the hospital from any wrongdoing or liability.

It said Nelson’s lawyer, therefore, petitioned the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria and that when Nelson’s affidavit got to the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Investigation Panel, the panel said it had no jurisdiction on the subject matter.

It said Ekpenyong thereafter petitioned the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission but the commission did not act on the complaint.

Nelson, therefore, averred that Limi Hospital owed him a duty as a patient to properly diagnose his medical condition to prevent a deterioration of his condition to the extent of losing one of his testes.

The defendants were yet to respond to the originating processes served on them at the time of this report.

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Headlines

Strike: Maritime Workers Shut Lagos Ports

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), on Tuesday, shutdown economic activities at both Apapa and Tin-Can Island seaports in Lagos State.

The workers picketed offices and restrained people from accessing their offices, thereby grounding economic activities at the ports.

The picketing of the ports is in compliance with the directive given by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for a total shutdown of the country’s economy.

However, while maritime workers complied with the directive, commercial banks and schools visited by our correspondent in the Agbado area of the state did not comply.

Recall that the leadership of NLC and TUC had on Monday insisted that its November 14 (today) strike was still going to hold despite the National Industrial Court restraining organised labour from going on with the strike.

The decision to commence the strike was unanimously agreed after their National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which was held in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the President of TUC, Festus Osifo, had said the strike was going to hold.

“Until the government at all levels wake up to their responsibility,” Osifo had said.

The directive by the organised labour to shutdown the country’s economy was in reaction to an alleged assault and kidnapping of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero in Imo State on October 31.

This prompted the organised labour to declare a total shutdown of the state on November 8 and subsequently directed nationwide shutdown on November 14, if their listed demands were not met.

Out of the six demands listed by the organised labour, only the removal of the Imo State Commissioner of Police CP Ahmed Barde has been implemented

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Entertainment

‘Cheating is expensive,’ Iyanya on why he sticks to one woman

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Singer, Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, popularly known as Iyanya, has revealed why he will rather be faithful to one woman.

According to Iyanya, dating different women is ‘expensive’ and he is too busy with his priorities for such lifestyle.

He made this known while appearing in the latest episode of the Doyin’s Corner podcast hosted by reality star, Doyinsola Anuoluwapo David.

Iyanya said, “I have priorities. I am too busy. Cheating is expensive.”

Doyin remarked: “Is it? Sure, it is. To maintain one girl is expensive talk more of multiple women.”

The reality show star noted that personally, she can’t accept N10,000 from a man, adding that her partner needs to gift her money in dollars.

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Headlines

Workers Strike: TCN Denies Report On National Blackout

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

As public workers embark on a nationwide indefinite strike action on Tuesday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has denied a report by an online newspaper of an imminent national blackout.

TCN, in a statement signed by its Management, a copy of which was obtained by Leading Reporters said the nation’s power grid was intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centers nationwide.

“The Transmission Company of Nigeria hereby states that the publication by Daily Post alleging that the Head of Public Affairs of TCN said that there will be a national blackout is false and totally misleading.

“The statement is mischievous and baseless as TCN, through the Public Affairs Head, did not make such statement.

“We hereby note that the nation’s grid is intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centers nationwide.

“As at when issuing this statement, the TCN National Control Centre Osogbo which controls bulk power transmission nationwide, is actively operational.

“We would appreciate that reports are made with a sense of responsibility not just to cause panic,” TCN stated

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Headlines

Banks, schools shut in Kano, govt suspend qualifying exams

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Kano State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has joined the nationwide strike in compliance with the directives of the national body of the union.

Leading Reporters gathered that primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions, have also joined the strike.

It was observed that primary and day secondary school pupils who went to school as early as 7.30 am were compelled to return home as they did not meet teachers in the schools.

It was gathered that the strike has also affected operations in banks, hospitals, and other public places in the state.

Similarly, the Audu Bako State Secretariat, which houses most of the ministries, was also closed following the commencement of the strike, even though some workers who were not aware of the strike reported to work in the morning but had to return home later.

Students in Bayero University Kano who are currently sitting for their first semester examination are also affected by the strike as a number of them who went to the examination halls  had to return to their respective hostels.

“Many students who were to sit for exams in the morning returned to their hostels disappointed because they could not see anybody in the examination halls,” a female student told The news corespondants

Meanwhile, the Kano State Ministry of Education has suspended the 2023 Secondary Schools Qualifying Examination scheduled to take place today, until further notice.

A statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the Ministry, Balarabe Kiru, revealed that the suspension is compelled by the industrial action embarked upon by the NLC and TUC nationwide.

The statement, however, appealed to the people concerned, especially students and parents or guardians, to bear with any inconvenience that may be caused by the suspension.

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Headlines

Imo Attack: NLC, TUC to commence national strike midnight

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Monday.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Monday directed their members to commence a national strike from midnight.

The TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Monday.

Mr Osifo noted that the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

The unions had on Tuesday last week, said they will embark on a national strike from Tuesday, 14 November.

The leadership of the two unions reached the resolution after an extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

The action of the unions followed the brutalisation of the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero, last week in Imo State.

According to Channels TV, the labour unions in a joint statement on Monday said “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council (NEC) of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12:00 midnight today, 13th November 2023.

“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and CWC Whatsapp Platforms.”

Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, on Friday last week, restrained the labour unions from embarking on strike.

Benedict Kanyip, the judge, who is also the president of the court, ordered Nigeria’s two major labour unions, to stop their industrial action scheduled to commence 14 November.

The interim order followed an ex-parte request by the Nigerian government through the office Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, following the Labour unions’ threat to embark on strike.

The NLC had called on workers in Imo State to embark on a state-wide strike on 1 November.

While declaring the strike, Mr Ajaero said the industrial action was in protest against “the persistent and egregious violations of the rights and privileges of workers in Imo State by the state government.”

“Despite our repeated efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and reach amicable agreements, the Imo State Government has become a habitual and serial breaker of these agreements, continuing to trample on the rights of workers in the state.

“As a result, we are left with no choice but to embark on mass protests and industrial actions beginning on the 1st day of November 2023,” Mr Ajaero said.

Earlier in the month, there was violence in the state as some thugs and police officers reportedly attacked Mr Ajaero and other members of the NLC who had assembled at the union’s council secretariat ahead of their planned protest in the state.

The national leadership of the NLC later said that Mr Ajaero was arrested by police operatives in the state.

The union also accused the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, of mobilising the thugs and the police officers to attack and arrest the NLC president to frustrate the planned protest in the state.

But the police later denied arresting Mr Ajaero, saying they only placed him in protective custody to shield him from attack by the thugs.

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Africa & World

Shock As Saudi Cancels Visa Of 264 Nigerian Passengers After Arriving In Jeddah

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

There was shock and disbelief when the Saudi Arabian Authorities cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted to Jeddah from Lagos and Kano on Sunday.

The authorities insisted that the airline should return them back to Nigeria.

The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

But to the consternation of the airline staff, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the passengers’ visas had been cancelled.

This was despite the fact that the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Information System (APIS) during the check-in formalities in Nigeria which was also monitored by the Saudi authorities.

Leading Reporters reports that Air Peace penultimate week launched a direct flight to Jeddah which has been recording high load factor.

A source who confirmed the development said, “The screening of passengers from the MMIA and Kano Airport was thorough and there was no issue with the visas. These were people who were duly issued the visa and they passed through the advanced passenger information system which is accessible to both authorities in Lagos and Jeddah. We are surprised because this cancellation was announced when the flight already landed.

“We are suspecting this is a strategy to frustrate the Nigerian carrier out of the route, some people are definitely not happy with the option Air Peace is providing, the direct flight to Jeddah as against using another foreign airline which attracts higher fares.”

It was learnt that, it was when the Nigerian embassy waded in that Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.

As of the time of filing this report, the Airline was on its way to Nigeria with the 177 passengers that were denied entry; majority of them going to perform lesser Hajj (Umrah).

The development comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu visited the country for a summit.

The Nigerian leader also proceeded for lesser Hajj at the end of the summit, where he met the high and mighty in the Arabic country.

Leading Reporters reports that prior to the commencement of direct flight by Air Peace, Saudia, a Saudi Arabian flag carrier, has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia.

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Headlines

Tinubu Performs Lesser Hajj In Makkah

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Sunday, performed by Lesser Hajj (Umrah) in Makkah, during which he prayed for God’s divine guidance in leading Nigeria.

The president had embarked on the Islamic rite after the completion of his official duties in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, where he participated in the Saudi-African Summit.

President Tinubu’s mission to the holy land for the Umrah was disclosed Sunday evening by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, on his verified X handle.

According to him, during this spiritual journey, the President offered prayers for the prosperity of Nigeria and sought divine guidance for to lead the country.

“His Excellency President Bola Tinubu took time off at the end of his official engagements in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to perform the lesser Hajj (Umrah) earlier today in Makkah. He used the opportunity to pray for Nigeria’s greatness and divine guidance for him”, Abdulaziz said.

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